Five months ago I entered the Undergraduate of The Year Award for Management. Now? I’m working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car on a twelve-week internship and I will continue my journey with Enterprise into the near future.

When I first started my Undergraduate of the Year adventure I was looking for glory and success, but once I started to progress through the stages and make my way into the final top ten, I realised what this really meant to me. Applying for the award the night before applications closed gave me a sense of excitement, of risk, but also of pessimism. I thought to myself, “I am too late, and I don’t have a chance.” Advice to all: you’re never too late! If you want something that much, you’ll find ways to get there.

What I’ve realised in the past year is that opportunity is everywhere, and there’s always a time to gain from taking a small risk. As clichéd as it sounds, entrepreneurs take risks; successful people take risks. What’s the worst that can happen? Honestly, not a lot. Life lesson alert: the most precious thing in life, is life. Moving country, taking salary cuts, living in a shoebox flat for a year – that’s nothing. But the rewards you reap after putting the hard work into something? They’re invaluable.

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Every day working at Enterprise, I hear the words, ‘Work hard and reward hard work.’ How true that is. The last five weeks of my internship have definitely given me a taste of the real working world. I won’t lie; I’ve had tough days, I’ve had challenging days, but all of my days have been a success. There isn’t one day in my internship that I haven’t learnt something new. One of my major loves at Enterprise is that, at the end of every shift, whether you’re an intern, a graduate or a manager, you all sit together and review the working day. This is a time to really project your voice, and you will be heard.

This isn’t just an internship; this is a career. Whether or not I’m still with Enterprise in twenty years, this is a lifelong experience. It is real life business, real life customers and real life success. The pay-cheque is great to receive at the end of every month, but the experience is worth so much more. I’ve been pushed to the limit: days with more than 120 retail customers coming to collect their vehicle for a Highland trip; days of delayed flights for customers; and days of just running around like a headless chicken. You ask why I want a busy and crazy work schedule? Honestly? I want the challenge.

If you are unsure of what you want to do with your life, which career path to take, or which industry to join, I highly recommend Enterprise. Because that’s exactly the position I was in. Whether you’re interested in sales, accounts, vehicles, insurance, HR, or development, Enterprise caters to all.

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For me, this internship means more than a CV reference. I’ve met the most amazing people, all of whom started where I am now, and I’ve been challenged and supported by them. Most of all I’ve been given the autonomy to shape my own career and my own experience within Enterprise. And that’s what I appreciate more than anything. So, does it matter that I didn’t win the Undergraduate Of The Year Award? Hell no! I’ve got far more out of this Award than I ever thought I could. Understanding, dedication, self-belief. And I won’t be giving up anytime soon. Everyone experiences the ups and downs, but when an opportunity like this comes along you have to grab it with both hands and make the most of it.

To whoever reads this, remember:

• You’re never too late.
• You’re never too old.
• You are a success.
• Your voice and opinion matter. Don’t be afraid to shout.
• And hey, what’s the worst that can happen?

If, like me, you’re ready to take on new challenges, shoulder new responsibilities, and find out how far your career can go, check out the internship opportunities available today.